The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned that any attempt to use the judiciary as an instrument to undermine democracy in the country, could plunge Nigeria into a major political crisis.
ADC in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the Justice Peter Lifu judgement that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister it and four other political parties is in conflict with constitutional principles and all known judicial processes and procedures.
“The facts are straightforward. The plaintiffs had argued that the ADC and four other political parties failed to satisfy constitutional requirements relating to continued registration,” the party stated.
It noted that INEC, which is empowered by the constitution to register, regulate, and supervise political parties in Nigeria, in a counter-affidavit filed before the court in May, maintained that the ADC had not violated any registration requirements.
According to the ADC, the commission stated that “the de-registration of a political party cannot be driven by political pressure, sentiment, or the wishes of interested parties.
“It must be based strictly on constitutionally established grounds, none of which had been proven against the ADC.”
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The party added that apart from the INEC’s position, there is a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal issued on May 22, 2026, directing a stay of proceedings on the matter, and regretted that the trial judge “flagrantly and contemptuously disregarded a clear order of a superior court in a manner that brings into question all known judicial traditions.”
According to the party, the development is not merely a legal dispute, “but a dangerous escalation capable of destabilising the nation’s democratic process.”
The party accused agents of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind the court judgement, and alleged that the case has been championed directly by individuals working with the president’s Chief of Staff.
“The decision of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, who is a second defendant in the matter, to join the matter as a plaintiff in April, is an absurdity, which sends a signal that is impossible to ignore,” ADC said.
It stated that the latest development is a continuation of the ruling party’s persistent efforts to undermine the opposition, especially the ADC.
“We also find the timing of this ruling quite curious,” the party said, but added that despite all the obstacles placed in its way, the ADC has risen to the task and met all benchmarks and deadlines.
The party noted that the court judgement, coming at a time when it has concluded its primaries and is fielding candidates for all positions in the next election, especially the presidential election, it is clear what this is all about.
It described the judgement as reckless, provocative, and incendiary and warned those who believe they can manipulate institutions of state to narrow the democratic space that they are playing with forces far greater than partisan interests.
